Pray! Pray! Pray! 23/2/2025
In 2 Chronicles 7:12-16, following the dedication of the Temple, the LORD appears to King Solomon. God says these words: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land". Those words also apply to us at Central Coast South UCA.
Dove Tales Issue 32 – 23/2/2025
On Friday mornings from 9 till 9:45 a small group meets online to pray. While it began as a Broken Bay group, it is now a Central Coast South UCA group. We pray for our brothers and sisters in Umina and in Kincumber, and we pray for the wider Church. I encourage you to join us. Email me (revfrankvdk@gmail.com or Danielle – dovetalesuca@gmail.com) for the Zoom link.
I believe that much of the growth which we are currently experiencing is a direct result of the prayers of that group, as well as personal prayer. God’s Spirit is inspiring people to serve, drawing newcomers into our midst, encouraging some to increase their giving, and opening up new ministries.
The Old Testament book 2nd Chronicles rarely features in Sunday worship. That’s a shame, because the books of Kings and Chronicles clearly show us how different Kings were or were not faithful to Yahweh. In 2 Chronicles 7 we read of the dedication of the new Temple (and Palace) by King Solomon, King David’s son. After this very public act, Solomon goes to bed. He was no doubt hoping for a restful night after an exhausting day. What happens next? From verse 12:
[The] Lord appeared to [King Solomon] at night and said: ‘I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. 13 ‘When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16 I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there for ever. My eyes and my heart will always be there [my italics].
I believe that God is saying the same thing to His Church today. The Church is called into being by God. The word “Church” comes from the Greek word “ekklesia”. Ekklesia is a combination of the prefix ek (out) and the verb kaleo (to call). It literally means "the called out ones". In the Classical period, it was used to describe an official assembly of citizens. The early “ekklesia” – the early Church – claimed the word as its own. The Church is called into being by God, then “called out” of the world by God not to conform to it but to transform it (Romans 12). As the Apostle John says “[The Church] is not of the world” (John 17:14-16).
The words which God spoke to Solomon almost 3,000 years ago are the same today. We – as individuals and as the Church here in this place - are called by God’s name. We are called to humble ourselves and pray. We are called to seek God’s face and repent. Then God will hear and will forgive and will heal. God will not only be attentive with open eyes, but – hear this – God will share His heart with us! What do we need to do? Pray! Pray! Pray!
Pray as we “launch into the deep” (Luke 5). Pray as the promises of Jeremiah 31:11 are fulfilled: “plans to give you hope and a future”. Pray!
With hope and joy,
Rev. Frank (Van Der Korput), Supply Minister